Parent guide
There is no single right answer. The choice usually comes down to your working hours, who can do pickup, how your child copes with a long day, and what each session includes.
At SunnySeeds every Early Years programme, from nursery to kindergarten, runs in three lengths:
As a point of reference, the Ministry of Education's 2026 circular sets a national minimum for preschool teaching and learning time of 1,200 minutes a week, or 240 minutes a day, including rest. A morning from 8am to 12pm is 240 minutes.
A full day is usually the practical fit. Work out your real pickup time, including the drive, and compare it with the session end. Ask the school what happens if you arrive between the end of the session and closing time.
An extended half day to 2pm can cover a morning shift with lunch in between. Check which meals come with the session you choose.
A half day or extended half day often works, with lunch and rest at home. Think about the travel for whoever does pickup every day, not just on good days.
Some families start with a shorter day and lengthen it later. Ask whether sessions can change during the year and how much notice is needed.
A full day adds lunch, rest and an afternoon of activities. At SunnySeeds, full day children also have Story Lab, our speaking and storytelling sessions. For any school, it helps to ask:
We will not tell you a longer day is better for every child, or that a shorter one is. What helps is watching your own child in the first weeks: how tired they are at pickup, how they sleep and eat at home, and what their teachers see during the day. At SunnySeeds, teachers share photos, videos and messages through the parent app, so you can follow the day as it happens. If something does not feel right, talk to the teachers before deciding to change.
Session length usually changes the fee, and sometimes what is included. Our preschool fees guide has a printable worksheet with a line for session hours, so you can compare options side by side.
Sources checked 3 November 2026. Official pages can change, so check the source before acting on a date or rule.
FAQ
Half day 8am to 12pm, extended half day 8am to 2pm, full day 8am to 5.30pm. The centre closes at 6.30pm. The same three options are offered for nursery, preschool and kindergarten.
Neither is better for every child. The right length depends on your working hours, who can do pickup, and how your child copes with a longer day, which is easiest to judge by watching the first weeks with the teachers.
Come during morning school hours to see what we do, and bring your child along.
